DOG ACTOR

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 524, 29 November 1928, Page 1

DOG ACTOR

Skookum Arrives to Join Byrd's Big Expedition TOOK PART IN FILMS Film star and explorer of frozen wastes—that is Skookum. He was the most bored passenger on the American steamer Golden Cloud, from which thousands of feet of American timber were being unloaded at King’s Wharf tc-day. The sight did not interest Skookum. He curled himself up in Captain E. Svedstrup’s cabin and dozed. Skookum is on his way to Dunedin to join the big pack of dogs with Commander Richard Byrd’s South Pole expedition. lie is a malamute in breeding. The Golden Cloud is due to reach Dunedin by the end of next week, so Skookum will have time to take his place with the expedition. lie was not contemplating the hardships of a polar trip this morning. Instead. while he was not dozing, he was gnawing industriously at a bone in proportion to his massive size, for he rears his shaggy frame nearly three feet high. IN CAPTAIN’S CHARGE Captain Svedstrup personally cared for Skookum on the voyage from Los Angeles. The captain is not looking forward to losing the companionship of . the big dog. Skookum was fed only once a day on the voyage. He is a splendid specimen of a breed perfectly suited to polar journeying. In the United States he has won many prizes. His most recent success was at the important Santa Barbara show, where he won the first award for all breeds. It was through his participation in a film in Los Angeles that Skookum missed coming with the main Byrd expedition. For, in addition to having a reputation as a team dog, Skookum has figured in several big motion pictures. So, instead of with the main pack of dogs,' Skookum was resigned to the more pleasant occupation of be'*Dm i urite with the crew. The big dog will be leaving Auckland on Saturday to take his part in the hazardous polar venture. An Auckland veterinary surgeon pronounced Skookum physically fit when he arrived, but the malamute was innoculated to prevent possible infection